The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on the Administration of Justice for Children,\u00a0Justice Teresia Matheka,\u00a0has called for urgent reforms and enhanced coordination across all child protection agencies to address systemic failures that continue to expose Kenyan children to abuse, neglect, and injustice.<\/p>\n
Speaking during the\u00a0official launch of the Annual Child Justice Service Month 2025,\u00a0themed\u00a0\u201cSecuring Justice for Every Child: Enhancing Multi-Agency Collaboration and Increasing Budgetary Allocation to Combat Child Abuse,\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0Justice Matheka underscored the need to translate commitments into tangible institutional action.<\/p>\n \u201cThis theme must not remain aspirational \u2014 it must become our operational reality,\u201d she stated. \u201cWhen we fail to apply the law and safeguard the rights of children, we breach our oath and the Constitution,\u201d\u00a0said Justice Matheka.<\/p>\n Justice Matheka cited\u00a0Section 22 of the Children Act, 2022,\u00a0which mandates that any person who appears to be a child must be presumed to be one unless proven otherwise. She noted that the continued disregard of this legal safeguard has led to children being criminalized and processed through the adult justice system \u2014 a grave violation of their rights.<\/p>\n Highlighting widespread challenges such as delayed cases, poor coordination, and limited resources, Justice Matheka announced several\u00a0<\/b><\/strong>key measures\u00a0to strengthen the child justice system:<\/p>\n Enhanced Case Management:\u00a0The Committee will implement strict timelines to ensure children\u2019s cases are heard expeditiously, minimizing trauma and restoring trust in the justice system.<\/p>\n Quarterly Multi-Agency Coordination Meetings:\u00a0Regular forums at both national and county levels will bring together the Judiciary, National Police Service, ODPP, Department of Children Services, National Legal Aid Service, and civil society to address systemic gaps.<\/p>\n Advocacy for Increased Budgetary Allocation:\u00a0The Committee will lobby the National and County Treasuries to prioritize funding for child protection services, including infrastructure, staffing, and digital systems for case tracking.<\/p>\n Justice Matheka also issued a strong call to judicial officers, prosecutors, and police officers to faithfully apply child protection laws and uphold their constitutional duties.<\/p>\n \u201cDetermining age does not require sophisticated equipment \u2014 it requires vigilance and a commitment to protecting children,\u201d she emphasized.<\/p>\n The Chairperson further urged stakeholders to focus on\u00a0rehabilitation and reintegration, not punishment, emphasizing that justice for children must include education, psychosocial support, and community reintegration programs.<\/p>\n \u201cSecuring justice for every child is not just a legal obligation; it is a moral imperative and a test of our humanity,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>\n Permanent Secretary for the State Department for Children Welfare Services Carren Ageng\u00f3 who graced the occasion\u00a0commended the NCAJ and the Standing committee for organising the launch and for showing unwavering support for access to justice for children in the country.<\/p>\n She said this year\u2019s theme is both timely and urgent and a reminder that justice for children is not just a peripheral concern but a priority area for the country. The PS promised to put initiatives in place to reunite children in conflict with the law with their families after undertaking rehabilitation and re-integration process.<\/p>\n Others who addressed the gathering were, Milimani High Court Family Division Presiding Judge, Hillary Chemitei, representative of the National Police Service, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Law Society of Kenya among others.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Annual Child Justice Service Month\u00a0serves as a national platform for the Judiciary and partners to evaluate progress, strengthen coordination, and reaffirm Kenya\u2019s commitment to ensuring that every child\u00a0in\u00a0the justice system receives protection, dignity, and hope.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\r\n\t\t\t